A Texas man was charged after lying to law enforcement to help arsonists evade arrest, according to a criminal complaint.
Jose Felan Jr. and Mena Yousif, a Minnesota couple, are on the lam. Authorities said Felan Jr., a felon, was captured on video setting fires during riots in the Twin Cities in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Yousif is accused of helping set at least one fire, at a Goodwill, and helping Felan evade police.
Authorities believe the couple traveled south, possibly to Mexico.
Yousif, who appears to be noticeably pregnant, is known to have worn a range of disguises while on the run, including wigs, hair extensions, hats, and the absence of a hijab.
According to the complaint, 29-year-old Leeroy Felan, Felan Jr.’s brother, provided false information to federal law enforcement officers to try to stymie the investigation and arrest of his sibling and his sister-in-law.
Felan is also accused of transporting Felan Jr. and Yousif to try to prevent them from being arrested.
Felan was on supervised release stemming from a 2015 conviction of conspiracy to transport illegal aliens. He is being held until a preliminary hearing on July 31.
The reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects was increased to $20,000 last month.
“These two have evaded law enforcement for a couple weeks now and we are hoping the increased reward will encourage those who know these individuals’ whereabouts to come forward,” said William Henderson, special agent in charge of the St. Paul Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said at the time.
“We are pleased to be working in close coordination with the Marshals on this case. We’re confident with their help we’ll be able to bring these two to justice.”
U.S. Marshal Mona Dohman of the District of Minnesota added: “We are calling on anyone with information on the whereabouts of Felan and Yousif to contact us immediately.”
